The Importance of Independence
In June 1985, SLOCEA found itself in a perilous situation; membership in the organization had been trending downward, finances were tight, and tensions with local unions over disputed territory were high. Weighing their limited options and wary of potential bargaining unit “raids” from other unions, the Association’s leaders decided it was in SLOCEA’s best interest to partner with a more powerful international ‘parent’ union.
SLOCEA Directors sign a trial partnership agreement with ADSCME in 1985
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) seemed like the perfect candidate. This affiliation would provide SLOCEA with more leverage at the bargaining table, grow and strengthen the membership, provide funds to the strained budget, and thwart any attempts of a potential hostile takeover.
There was one major concern, however; SLOCEA had been an independent union since its founding in 1947, and retaining autonomy was vitally important to members. AFSCME and SLOCEA therefore agreed to enter into a three-year “trial affiliation” which allowed SLOCEA to keep its governing authority and ‘test the waters’ before jumping in. At the conclusion of the trial affiliation, SLOCEA members would vote either to permanently affiliate with AFSCME or to disaffiliate and remain an independent Association. It seemed like the perfect solution.
To SLOCEA’s dismay, the next three years saw countless unanswered letters and phone calls to AFSCME representatives, dismissive and condescending treatment, and dozens of broken promises. The General Manager at the time, Paul Roller stated, “They have treated us like small-town bumpkins who they are too busy to deal with.” Requests for assistance, funds, and even a meeting to discuss SLOCEA’s dissatisfaction with AFSCME went unaddressed for months or were ignored completely.
During the entire three-year affiliation, AFSCME never once sent a representative to assist with contract negotiations, grievance proceedings, or job reclassifications. SLOCEA President Lynda Watkins wrote of AFSCME in an article in The County Blade, “ They don’t give a damn about our problems. To them we are a very minor irritation… If the last two years has been the honeymoon, I can hardly wait to check out the rest of the marriage!” SLOCEA members were beginning to see what a permanent affiliation with AFSCME might look like for them.
Under AFSCME’s constitution, SLOCEA’s governance would be disbanded and redirected to a Los Angeles Council, this means 90% of member’s dues would leave SLO County completely, split between the LA Council and AFSCME International in Washington DC. SLOCEA would be left with a meager 10% to cover all operating costs – a virtual impossibility.
Without the means to retain staff, the responsibility would fall on members to maintain business needs of the Association. This meant managing the Association’s finances, coordinating benefit programs, and maintaining the membership all while performing their regular job duties within the County.
Local labor representation would also cease to exist under AFSCME. SLOCEA Stewards would become responsible for handling grievances and appeals for SLOCEA‘s 600+ represented members, and over-burdened representatives out of LA or San Francisco would travel to SLO County “as needed” for other labor matters.
If they chose to become permanently affiliated with AFSCME, SLOCEA members would have to be willing to accept all these changes with no compensation for their additional efforts.
Ultimately, the cost of affiliation was too high and the benefit far too low. In a vote conducted in October 1988, SLOCEA members voted 365 to 36 to end their relationship with AFSCME… I’m sure with a collective “Good riddance!”
By Brooke Daphne, Labor Representative
